Putnoe Wood Survey - Sunday 14th April

Completed my monthly bird survey at Putnoe Wood today and can officially announce that Spring is here with the arrival of the Chiffchaffs. It was a bit disappointing that there were no Blackcaps but I'm sure they will be arriving any time now as there are plenty of reports around the county.

The wood was alive with bird song and the Green Woodpeckers were particularly active. 

Green Woodpecker (Female)

Carrion Crows and Jackdaws were seen with nest material. The female Sparrowhawk may be on territory as she was seeing off all comers, I'll have to keep an eye on that.

The full species list follows:

Species	Count
Blackbird	4
Blue Tit	11
Carrion Crow	5
Chaffinch	5
Chiffchaff	4
Coal Tit	1
Collared Dove	1
Dunnock	2
Goldfinch	1
Great Spotted Woodpecker	1
Great Tit	14
Green Woodpecker	4
Greenfinch	1
Jackdaw	6
Magpie	1
Nuthatch	2
Redwing	9
Robin	10
Sparrowhawk	1
Stock Dove	3
Treecreeper	1
Woodpigeon	22
Wren	5

A pair of Nuthatches were also very active and vocal allowing some scope for photography, although they stayed a bit high in the trees.

Nuthatch

Nuthatch

These are both big crops of the originals but I think there may be potential at this site over the next few weeks so hopefully I'll find some time to get back there again, time and patience will be the key.

Also saw a Brimstone Butterfly just as I was leaving.